Centino, Japan defense chief dicuss maritime, security cooperation

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Andres Centino discussed martime cooperation and defense, as well as capability development with Gen. Koji Yamazaki, Chief of the Japan Self Defense Forces.

Centino led the AFP delegation which ttended the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan from March 14 to 17.

According to the AFP, the DSEI Japan is the only large-scale fully integrated defence event that has ever taken place in Japan.

“It is where the global defence industry meets the Japanese defence community, supporting the sourcing of the latest equipment and systems, developing international relationships and generating new business opportunities and partnerships between Japan and the world,” said the AFP.

Centino and Yamazaki also tackled the Proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) or a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which will pave the way for more enhanced training and exercises between the Philippines and Japan.  

Yamazaki also assured Centino of Japan's friendship and assistance on common security issues such as promoting a rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

For his part, Centino thanked Gen Yamazaki for the assistance in the on-going capability development in the AFP and for being one of the country's strongest ally when it comes to security and other economic and developmental activities.